THE FOSSIL

Official Publication of The Fossils, Inc., Historians of Amateur Journalism Volume 103, Number 2, Whole Number 331, Glenview, Illinois, January 2007

LOUISE LINCOLN: Edna Hyde “Vondy” McDonald whets our “WHAT IS SO RARE ─”? appetite somewhat with her analysis of KS #8, noting “Louise's tongue-in-cheek account of the convention Guy Miller [Newark NJ] and some good nonsense verse-with-a- moral.” Mending Done But it is Helm Spink in reviewing KS #9 (Nov. 46) who pinpoints what we needed to know: “ Kitchen It's time at last to take the day Stove is one of those small papers that make some of us That's slowly, slowly ending, ashamed of how little we say in our big ones.” Himself, And shake it out, and fold it up, master of the art of finely sculptured prose, Helm was And lay it with the mending. probably commenting on Louise's essays, but he just as readily could have been referring to her poetry. For, as For here and there I've made a tear James Guinane avers in his survey “Louise Lincoln: A By giving others sorrow, Marker of Minds,” ( The Boxwooder #201, April 1986), And I must patch as best I can, “[Louise has always practised tight control of her writing, With bits of my tomorrow. squeezing much into little,” and continues, “Most demanding intellectually of the various forms of writing This poem and a second one which appears in is the essay....In the best hands the poem is an Literary Newsette No. 161 for April 28, 1944, might or essay ─condensed and distilled in its essence.” Jim's might not have been Louise Lincoln's introduction to observations fit the philosophy of 1972 Poet Laureate NAPA. We doubt that they were, considering that her judge Mary T. Zimmerman who, in bestowing Honorable qualifying credential was listed as “Co-Ed. C.O.A. Mention on Louise's “Ave Valque” observes, “The poets News .” To explain ─The Central Ohio Amateur do what all of us do who write poetry. They are not Journalists was a hotbed of ajay activity in the '40's and sparse ─that is the only word that expresses the tautness early '50's. Louise tells us in her short autobiography or firmness that must go into a line. And to hold an idea (The Fossil , April 2005, reprinted in the NA March 2006) in rein so that it moves smoothly from the beginning to that she joined NAPA at the time of the Columbus the end ─that is most difficult”: Convention in 1943, one of 14 members recruited by that Columbus live-wire activist Grace Phillips who that same Come quickly while the desert still is there. year signed up a total of 14 members, each of them Thread through its growth, watch tiny creatures run, credited as “Co-Ed. C.O.A. News .” Look up where birds have caught a drift of air In any case, were the reader unaware of the And float across the sky. Too soon it's done, background which Louise had brought with her as a Knocked down, mashed flat, built up, till member of the Ohio Verse Writers Guild, a member of ev'rywhere COA and, before that an active participant in literary Harsh noises rise, square shadows mark the sun. activities of other organizations, the poems cited in Literary Newsette would not necessarily have alerted us Come quickly now! The steps of man grow loud, to what was about to come our way. In fact, the Bureau Men bearing in their arms Earth's concrete of Critics reviews of her first several issues of Kitchen shroud. Stove (first “heating,” June 1944) give but little (“Ave Valque” ─KS #41) indication: From Sesta Matheison ( KS 1), “Congratulations to Louise Lincoln....`Us Introverts' left 1968 Bureau of Critics Chairman Rowena us a bit dizzy but, nevertheless, much common sense is Moitoret, midpoint in discussing the essentials of making revealed in the essay;” Amanda “Freezette” Thrift (KS 2) a poem, suddenly concedes, “I need only refer you to the “Chef Louise Lincoln has a lot on the ball as well as on 34th Heating of the Kitchen Stove where Louise Lincoln the stove.” says it all better than I can, and even more, gives

3 examples of admirable short poems she has written....I requested several members to write something relating to had known for a long time...that Louise is capable of the art of writing. Such outstanding ajays as Viola Autry writing exceedingly witty prose and clever light verse, Payne, George Freitag, and Edna Hyde McDonald but I hadn't known she could produce real poetry, too”: responded, along with Louise who, assigned the subject of editing, turned to her alter ego for his input. Under the The city is hot tonight. title “Ei Qui Edit,” Walrus proceeds to examine in detail Its restlessness mounts and spills all the possible connotations from the Latin term edere Into sound. A jazz band shrills. which can lead to the generalized definition “to be At every traffic light windy, to blow out any words and as many words as you Impatient horns repeat wish.” To this remark, Walrus adds the observation, “You fool, it's green at last!” “Note, too, no mention is made of mental activities Dogs bark. The noisy blast preceding or accompanying the flatulence.” And from Of fans rebukes the heat. this does Walrus enlarge on the possible meanings and And underneath, yet somehow breaking through uses of the subject. But, in conclusion, he does grant that, above, “Editing means to blow off steam, to express one's soul, A tiny tree frog pipes his tinkling tune of love. to give birth to ideas, to become the creator and executor (1968-69 Laureate Award: “San Juan of thought.” Nocturne”─KS #34) Of course, when it comes to prose renditions, Louise does not take a back seat to her alter-ego; for, Rowena in this same review, hastily adds (in from among her almost countless number of essays case there would be any misunderstanding): appearing in Kitchen Stove and elsewhere, she has “Incidentally, clever light verse is actually the most garnered many a laurel for her presentations ─at least difficult of all verse to write....” Ah, enter A. (for eight, in fact ─too many for detailed comment on each. “Another”) Walrus: We give here a selection of our favorites with the Laureate Judges' comments where available: “Oh, Wad Some Power The Giftie Gie ─” 1979 ─Laureate Award for “Since I Insist on My Or Would We Rather It Didn't? Druthers” ( KS #53 with a reprint in NA ). You won't be * * * surprised to learn in this essay that challenged with the I never really want to see choice of either to “run with the hare or the hounds,” Myself as ithers view me. Louise asks, “Why?” and then answers, “I do not choose They poke and probe and peek and peer to run.” Until they see right through me. 1991 ─Honorable Mention for “The Fable of the Writer, Then ev'ry quirk and ev'ry fault the Editor and the Printer“ ( KS #71). A playful essay Stands forth to blame and damn, springing from an NAPA Convention seminar led by And tell me there is dire need Tom Whitbread on what the NAPA wants from its To change the way I am. bureau of critics, and on what writers owe one another, ending with a moral (after all, it is a fable): “Jealous I'd rather far the powers wad gie professionals have all mastered one trick: the ability to To ithers power to see look down on those who are above them.” From Judge The gorgeous, charming perfect self James Drake, Outdoors Editor Chesapeake Publishing I see when I look at me. Corp.: “A pleasant apologue imbedded more perhaps (Spindrift #13 in NAPA West #489, 1994) with truth than fabrication.” 1994 ─Laureate Award for “If You Are Thinking of This fragment is but a sample of Walrus's Dropping In, Drop the Thought” ( KS #77). The title says extensive outpourings of sage witticisms that have it all. From Judge Thomas Hennick, Metropolitan Editor adorned the pages of Kitchen Stove and have flooded Waterbury Republican CT: “Good writing grabs the other publications far and wide, such as Ed X. Fielding's attention of the reader and doesn't let go....It hits upon a Spindrift , Harold Segal's Campane , and Jake Warner's subject which many of us can relate to, either as the hosts The Boxwooder (see esp. #404, March 2003 and #459, or would-be guests. Exhibits a good sense of humor, Dec. 2006). which keeps it from becoming too preachy or too much Walrus, we discover, is also master of the essay. of a lengthy whine.” Amateur . A case in point can be found in the March 1961 1997 ─Laureate Award for “The Future of Amateur issue of the NA . Official Editor Stan Oliner must have Journalism? Or!” (1997 Scottsdale Convention banquet

4 speech reprinted in The Boxwooder #341, Dec. 1997). And it's the Fossil press.” ─A. Walrus From Judge Chuck Hawley Arizona Republic : “In her observations she makes an excellent point when she AN ODE TO THE OAK encourages you all to recruit new blood to your ranks. Indeed, without once naming the dread “Internet” and by Martha E. Shivvers only alluding to the destructive intrusions of electronic phenomena, she goes to the heart of the matter: the Snuggled 'neath the fallen leaves of brown, printed page is being threatened on every corner....What acorns hide beneath the fold, Ms. Lincoln suggests...is that without a concerted effort, leaf-filled branches shake then sigh your numbers will continue to dwindle until the people when NOVEMBER skies bring snow and cold. who actually print the material they write (for themselves or others) will become but a quaint memory or curious With winter breezes, pale sun freezes footnote over which computer generations may mull. Her awakening life within the 'corn, work is the bellwether.” dark roots crawl into earth's shadows Finally: tendrils of growth begin to form. 1993 ─Honorable Mention for “Which Is Celebrating???” (KS #75). What Louise is celebrating here is her 50 years The tree, the tall majestic oak in NAPA. After giving the late Alfred Babcock due whose years of age no one knows, praise for urging her to publish her own paper, she renews herself in Nature's way claims, “I have never been a prolific writer, but I suspect when her fallen acorns begin to grow. I would never have written at all if I had not become a NAPAn.” Then she concludes “I know I never feel more EDWIN B. HILL: like chopping wood for another Kitchen Stove than after I THE STORY OF A GREAT AMATEUR PRINTER have spent time with witty, intelligent, creative persons, listening to their conversations and joining in it. I know I Ken Faig, Jr. never feel more at ease, more free to be myself, than when I am at a NAPA Convention.” Professional literature and print have been slow And now, after 63 years affiliation and 87 issues to discover the world of amateur journalism. Even today, of Kitchen Stove , we spy a picture of Louise, A. Walrus only a select few printing and book arts collections ─like at her side, tending to a chore which she has often the Rochester Institute of Technology as featured in our performed for NAPA, that of Recording Secretary of the last issue ─contain specimen collections of amateur 2006 New Orleans Convention. And we will expect to journals. The fate of most private collections of amateur see her seated at the same task at Massillon in 2007. journals is still sadly the dustbin. Gradually, however, the In the meantime, although there is no question world of professional literature and printing is where Louise's allegiance lies, yet Fossil (note the cap discovering amateur journalism. At a minimum, an “F”) Louise Lincoln saves a corner in her affections for informed antiquarian bookseller will skim a collection of one other group: vintage amateur journals for material by H. P. Lovecraft and other recognized figures in the professional world. “The time has come,” A. Walrus said, Antiquarian bookseller Lloyd Currey, for example, offers “To note the varied things a large collection of amateur journals containing material To which, as time goes strolling by, by and about Lovecraft in a catalog on his website. I have The name of fossil clings. the idea that material by Elsa Gidlow and her circle from Old people who have passed their prime the 1917-20 period may become equally collectable. Are Fossils to young souls. Nevertheless, offerings of amateur material in the Imprints of ferns and long gone trees antiquarian trade remain infrequent. There are still Are Fossils left on coals. certainly “finds” to be made by the determined searcher The forms of sea-life from the first armed with a list of targeted authors and titles. Now see the light of day Probably the most “hits” for any amateur As Fossil forms embedded in publisher ─at least at the present time ─occur for Edwin The solid mud and clay. Bliss Hill (1866-1949), who began his career as an But of them all there yet remains amateur journalist and private pressman in Detroit, The Fossil I profess Michigan, issuing his own first amateur journal The To be superior to the lot, Spectator in October 1882 and printing his own first

5 publication in February 1884. Originally engaged in boxes ─to the Arizona Collection in ASU Special professional newspaper work, Hill's health broke down Collections. The “Scope and Content” description gives because of the labor expended on his publication some inkling of the contents of the Edwin B. Hill Pertaining to Thoreau in 1901. He spent the next seven Collection in ASU Special Collections: years living alone in the woods in Lakeland, Michigan. In The Edwin Bliss Hill Collection consists of the correspondence, 1908, he felt well enough to marry Clara Ella Hood, a genealogy, diaries, personal mementoes, business records, manuscripts, schoolteacher. The same year, they removed to Mesa, publications, printed items, and photographs collected by and generated Arizona, where Hill took a job with the United States by Edwin B. Hill. Also included are similar items collected by and Bureau of Reclamation obtained through his brother generated by his only child, daughter Gertrude Hill Muir. In addition, Louis C. Hill. A beloved daughter, Gertrude Frances there are some items relating to his wife, Clara Ella Hood Hill; his Hill, was born to the couple on October 26, 1909. father, Alva T. Hill, an inventor; his mother, Frances Bliss Hill; and his Hill spent the remaining forty years of his life in brother Louis C. Hill. The inclusive dates represented run from 1882 to the Southwest, first at Mesa, Arizona (1908-18), then at 1973, close to 100 years of delightful, historically rich documentation Yselta, Texas (1918-45), and finally at Tempe, Arizona of one man's life experience whose signature (printer's mark) was a tiny (1945-49). During many of his years in Yselta, Hill cowboy hat. served as gatekeeper for the Elephant Butte Dam. His Marilyn Wurzburger, ASU Special Collections daughter Gertrude was the light of his life and inspired Librarian, kindly copied the finding aid for the Edwin the “Alice” of his later Spectators . (She left a memoir of Bliss Hill collection for me. (The corresponding finding her childhood, “An Arizona Childhood, 1909-1918, aid for the Gertrude Hill Muir Collection can be found Recollections of Gertrude Hill Muir” (Edwin Bliss Hill online at http://aao.lib.asu.edu.) Hill's correspondence Collection, Box 13, Folder 22) with many fond files contain not only famous literary and political figures recollections of her father.) In 1928, she was appointed like William Dean Howells, Franklin D. Roosevelt, A. S. Assistant Cataloger at the El Paso, Texas Public Library W. Rosenbach, and Vincent Starrett, but also amateur and she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the journalists like Ernest Arthur Edkins, Will Bates Grant University of Arizona in 1937. She was appointed City (who published a number of pieces by Hill in his amateur Librarian at the Flagstaff, Arizona Public Library in 1938 magazine The Friendly Quill ), Rheinhart Kleiner, and and was serving in this position at the time of her father's Edna Hyde McDonald. Many manuscripts from which death in 1949. She subsequently served in library Hill printed are also included in the collection. Of positions in Santa Paula, California (1949-51) and the significant interest for the history of the amateur Museum of New Mexico (1951-60), returning to Tempe journalism hobby is Hill's typescript biography of James as Special Collections Librarian at Arizona State J. O'Connell (folder 1, box 10), which as far as I know University in 1960. Apart from a brief stay at New has never been published. Mexico State Library in Santa Fe (1962-63), she A significant part of the interest in Hill today remained at ASU Special Collections for the remainder derives from his sixty-five years as a private printer. Hill of her career, retiring in 1975 and passing away in was a very discriminating book collector and literary man Phoenix on May 6, 1981. In her own right, Gertrude Hill and printed not only the work of his fellow amateur Muir ─she had married after her return to ASU in journalists but also work by mainstream literary figures. 1963 ─was a noted authority on Southwestern Henry David Thoreau and Charles Lamb were two of archaeology, history and culture. Two of the most Hill's most enduring interests, but he also published work sought-after publications of her father's private press by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Carlyle, Mark Twain, derive from the pen of Gertrude Hill ─The Art of the Sir Walter Raleigh, Vincent Starrett, Lionel Johnson, A. Navajo Silversmith (1937) and The Use of Turquoise E. Houseman, Leigh Hunt, Joseph Conrad, Walter de la Among the Navajo (1939). Mare, Thomas Macaulay, Edward Fitzgerald, Joaquin After his death in 1949, Gertrude Hill continued Miller, A. Conan Doyle, Stephen Vincent Benet, to champion the reputation of her father as a private Anthony Boucher, Christopher Morley, Rudyard Kipling, pressman and literary man. (His widow Clara Hood Hill and other mainstream literary figures. Collectors of all died in 1965.) Gertrude Hill Muir published a these writers have an interest in Hill's private press bibliography of her father's publications in the American publications. The booksellers' site tomfolio.com writes of Book Collector for October 1967. In 1978, she donated Hill's publications: her father's papers ─twelve linear feet of material in Being a hobby printer, printing was not among his governmental twenty-one boxes ─to the Special Collections Department duties. Since he began his printing in Arizona, he is often referenced as at Arizona State University in Tempe. At the same time, a “pioneer Arizona printer.” He was transferred in 1918 from Mesa to she donated her own papers ─7.25 linear feet in eight the Bureau's El Paso, Texas office bringing an Excelsior press with

6 him. Purchasing a small Caxton press in Texas, he used the two to print contemporary amateur affairs. (He would certainly have some 200 pamphlets, folders, and broadsides, favoring excerpts from disapproved of the blistering, sarcastic attacks that the popular English and American authors. Texas also claimed Hill as one “young turks” from time to time launched at leading of its pioneers by being its first printer to achieve artistic recognition. amateur journalists of greater years than their own.) Hill Hill's presswork is characterized by being tastefully executed without was deeply interest in writer-illustrator Frank Holme ostentation or pretension. Whether his restraint was intentional or (1868-1904), founder of the Bandar-Log Press, and limited by the availability of broader resources, he achieved founded a Memorial Group dedicated to his memory in typographical distinction using the means at his disposal. Most of Hill's the 1930s. He issued Frank Holme: A Friend from publications were literary and bear his printer's mark, a cowboy hat, Lakeland, Michigan in 1904 and reprinted it from Yselta and the place of publication as Ysleta, Texas. in 1935. The most substantial publishing project of his Of course, Hill actually began printing as early later years was undoubtedly Lone War Trail of Apache as 1884 in his native Michigan, but his presence as one Kid: Last of the Old Apache Renegades , illustrated by of the earliest private pressman in Texas (and Arizona for Charles Russell, which he co-authored with Earle R. that matter) has certainly attracted the interest to his Forrest and issued in 1947. work. Adrian H. Goldstone (1897-1977) ─the Even without a budget to justify many bibliographer of Arthur Machen ─was strongly interested purchases, it's fun to browse the Internet for Hill's in Hill's work and corresponded with Gertrude Hill Muir. publications. Surveying abebooks.com on March 20, His collection of research on Hill may be found today in 2006, I found over forty publications by Hill offered for the Humanities Research Center at the University of sale, ranging in price from $25.00 to $450.00. For Texas in Austin. In 2004, the Cushing Memorial Library $450.00, one could have the first edition of Pertaining to at Texas A&M University acquired the Al Loman Thoreau ─one of 225 copies bound in reddish-brown Printing Arts and Research Archive, containing many cloth, with the original prospectus laid in. For as little as examples of Hill's printing. The opening exhibition was $25.00, one could have Jean Munro LeBrun's Henry titled “Collector At the Pass: Al Loman and the Printing Thoreau's Mother (1940) ─an eleven-page chapbook in Arts in Texas.” Nicholas Basbanes lectured on pale blue wrappers, a rebuttal to Frank Sanborn's November 1, 2004 to mark the opening of the exhibition. “vindictive and groundless opinion of the Thoreau Apart from his occasional Spectator , Hill (who family.” In between there are many good things: The was a modest man) published his own work Doer of Good (1948) by Oscar Wilde; Adah Isaacs sparingly ─the titles include More Than A Memory Menken (1934) by Joaquin Miller; The Oxen (1948) by (1936), In Friendship, Paso por Aqui (1934), and The Thomas Hardy; Poems (1927), What's O'Clock (1930) Moon-Mad Maid . Although he was by no means as and Two Short Stories (1941) by Vincent Starrett; prolific a writer as his contemporary Ernest Arthur Charles Lamb To Thomas Manning (1934); The Ancient Edkins, Hill published essays in Robert J. Holman's Wood and Other Poems (1942) ─compiled by Hill and Cubicle , Will Bates Grant's The Friendly Quill , and including a poem by Samuel Loveman; John Neal To Hyman Bradofsky's The Californian. In the thirties and Edgar A. Poe (1942); The Blessings of the Moon (1947) forties, he had a number of essays in The Step Ladder , a by Charles Baudelaire; Just For Fun: The Bandar-Log magazine for book collectors. The largest collection of Press (1944); The Talking Pine (1948) by George his own writing was probably Range Tales: A Few Moore; Pere Antoine's Date Palm (1940) and When I Stories Based on Scenes and Incidents Inspired by the Was A Flower (1948) by Lafcadio Hearn; Foreword Arizona Country (1916), a collection of southwestern (1947) by W. H. Hudson ; Henry D. Thoreau To stories with philatelic themes published by his old friend Elizabeth Oakes Smith (1942); Sherlockiana: My Willard O. Wylie of Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News . Being Favorite Fiction Character (1938) by Stephen Vincent of the “Reformer” party identified with James J. Benet; Letters of Thomas Carlyle Addressed to Mrs. O'Connell, Hill was not widely popular during his first Basil Montagu and B. W. Proctor (1907) ─earlier printed twenty years in amateur journalism although he was well- by the Chiswick Press in London in 1881. Three Poems beloved among his fellow Detroit amateurs (Detroit was (1928) by Lionel Johnson is a fascinating gathering of a hub of amateur activity in the 1880's and hosted the Latin poems: one in honor of Robert Louis Stevenson N.A.P.A. convention in 1882) and his essay “A Leaf (“Requiescat in Pace Dilectissimi Scriptoris”); one in from a Portfolio” won the N.A.P.A. essay laureate in honor of Oscar Wilde (“In Honorem Doriani 1889. By the time he returned to activity as a printer in Creatorisque Eius”; and one, untitled, written by the poet, the 1930s, he was too “old-fashioned” to appeal to the in a copy of Sir John Suckling's Fragmenta Aurea . One “young turks” of the era ─and one can occasionally detect bookseller quotes from the poem in honor of Oscar hints of frustration in THE SPECTATOR's comments on Wilde:

7 Amat avidus amores of the private press who would never otherwise own or Miros, miros carpet flores see most of the items. It is doubtful that any existing Saevus pulchritudine: bibliography of Hill's publications is truly complete ─for Quanto anima nigrescit, example, even the listing of publications attached to the Tanto facies splendescit, finding aid for the Edwin Bliss Hill Collection does not Mendax, sed quam splendide! What a seem to contain Frank Denmark Woollen's Brittle Sticks treat it would be to have a budget of $10,000 or $25,000 (1933). It does not seem that Hill kept any complete to collect the works of Edwin B. Hill's private press! chronological listing of his publications. When a Hill Nearly as much fun, however, just to browse among the biography is published, his participation in the amateur many offerings. Hill doubtless had as much fun journalism hobby will inevitably form a significant part browsing bookseller's catalogs in his day. The afternoons of the story. The archives of amateur journals at in Yselta were too warm for printing, so Hill devoted institutions like UW-Madison, American Antiquarian them to fostering his book collection. He was eager to Society, Western Reserve Historical Society, and New encourage young amateurs interested in the literary side York Public Library may eventually enable researchers of the hobby and reprinted many works from the Golden to add to the bibliography of Hill's publications. Perhaps Era of the hobby by writers like Bertha Grant Avery, a copy of the earliest Spectator from October 1882 is yet Fanny Kemble Johnson, and Frank Denmark Woollen. to be found! As a treat, we reproduce Hill's publication He printed the works of more modern amateur writers Type Fever (1939) ─about his press ─in the centerfold sparingly, but he enjoyed the poetry of Rheinhart Kleiner section of this issue of The Fossil . Hill belonged to The and printed several small collections of his work, Fossils from 1910 forward and kept fellow members including Metrical M Moments (1937), Nine Sonnets advised of events in his life and his publications. He (1940), Eugenio and Three Other Poems (1943), A removed permanently to Tempe, Arizona on May 30, Trilogy of Sonnets for Edwin B. Hill (n.d.) as well as a 1945, after more than a quarter century in Yselta, Texas. broadside HPL (1940). He helped a young Bill As late as 1946 he wrote the obituary of Bertha Grant Groveman obtain a copy of Harrison's Career (1883) at a Avery (whose poetry collection Dream Haven he had favorable price from a bookseller's catalog. Through his printed in 1933) for The Fossil . The same year, he correspondence and his publications, Hill helped to foster suffered a tragedy when his printing equipment in storage an awareness of the traditions of the amateur journalism in Yselta was destroyed by fire on May 24, 1946. hobby and its literary aspects. Some of Hills's best- However, he managed to acquire new printing equipment remembered printings of the “Golden Age” ajay writings and continued to print for the remainder of his life. He include Charles Heywood's The Song of the Sibyl , Fanny remains a model of what a private pressman can aspire Kemble Johnson's Gathered Lillies , Joseph P. Clossey's to. The Fossils hope to hear more about Edwin Bliss Hill Red Letter Days , Joseph Dana Miller's A Hymn of Hate , and his work in the years to come! Joe J. Mack's Writ in Water , and Frank Denmark Woollen's Brittle Sticks . SILHOUETTE OF THE SPECTATOR Most amateur journalists fade into the obscurity of the common man and woman after their years of Ernest A. Edkins activity. We hope that archives like LAJ will help to preserve their memory. (The Willametta Keffer (Reprinted from Robert J. Holman's Cubicle (vol. 5 no. correspondence which forms a part of LAJ should help 4, whole no. 21) for winter 1940.) us form a better picture of what sort of men and women became amateur journalists in the twentieth century.) When one attempts to paint the picture of Edwin Bliss Hill remains a happy exception to the someone near and dear, the temptation to employ rosy general rule ─his role as a private pressman combined colors is almost irresistible. Whistler's famous portrait of with the foresight of his daughter Gertrude Hill Muir has his Mother is a case in point; it idealizes her into an ensured the preservation of archival resources relating to ethereal, saint-like figure that must have caused her much his life and work ─primarily but not exclusively in Special amusement, for she was as crochety as most old ladies, Collections at Arizona State University. I believe we will who turn out to be remarkably unsaintly, on close some day have a biography of Edwin Bliss Hill and a acquaintance. Not having seen my old friend Edwin B. new bibliography of his publications. Perhaps someone Hill for quite a few years, I suppose that in drawing this will eventually tackle a full facsimile edition of the profile it would be easier to indulge the roseate impulse, complete run of his press ─no substitute for the original or even to invest him with a halo, but I think it wiser to publications, but nevertheless a great treat for aficionados stick to plain black and white. In fact, I strongly suspect

8 that age has not withered nor custom staled the infinite Ill health and the pressure of other affairs compelled the richness and variety of his profane invective, so the halo suspension of The Stylus , and for seven years Hill lived a idea is definitely out. Thoreau-like existence deep in the Michigan woods, after White thatched, vigorous and desert tanned to which he spent ten years in Arizona before removing to the shade of saddle leather, Hill is still an enthusiastic his present residence in Ysleta, Texas. Several years ago hobbyist in his early seventies. Morning finds him he was drawn again to his old hobby, and began the laboring in the Spectator print shop; afternoon he devotes publication of his Spectator . This in turn led to the to his book collections. When I first met him he was a collection and reprinting of selections from the literature tall, cadaverous and bespectacled youngster with the of the so-called Golden Era, in a series of attractive lofty dome of a scholar and the professional gravity of a pamphlets, of great historical value, though I am sorry to comedian. A keen student of Poe's writings, he had say, little appreciated by the amateurs of this generation. already absorbed the spirit of Poe's measured periods and One hopes that a more discriminating posterity will some of his sardonic humor. He was also at that time a adequately evaluate Hill's services to an institution that great admirer of Omar's hedonistic philosophy, and had has been so long honored and enriched by his unselfish an appropriate quatrain for every occasion, but in labors. practice his gustatory indulgences were more figurative At the time of Hill's retirement he was an than literal, and the “jug of wine” generally revealed editorial paragrapher on The Detroit Journal and a itself as a modest Bock or a pitcher of lemonade. He had contemporary of Frank I. Cobb, then on the Detroit Free the happy faculty of waxing lyrical over very simple Press , and T. S. Varnum on the Detroit News ; his quips things, and the restraint to savor life delicately. Several and paragraphs were frequently copied in The Literary years prior to our Cincinnati encounter he had published Digest and other eclectics. His work reflects not a little of a small sheaf of my juvenile verse, beautifully printed that tolerant and whimsical philosophy which we and bound in green cloth covers, ─but happily since lost associate with the writings of Charles Lamb. Somewhat in the mists of oblivion. Thus began a notable friendship. akin to Lovecraft in one respect, Hill finds his greatest [Hill and Edkins probably met at the meeting of the pleasure in browsing amongst old books, from which he Western Amateur Press Association in Cincinnati, Ohio derives the inspiration for most of his gracefully on July 9, 1888. Hill published Edkins's Amenophra and fashioned miniatures and monographs. It is perhaps only Other Poems from Detroit in 1889 ─ed.] natural that his work should have little contemporary Hill's earlier contributions to amateur appeal, because there are few today who care about “the journalism were presented, first under the famous mast glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome.” head of The Boy's Herald and some years later through The Sage of Ysleta belongs to another age, the age of the the medium of The Stylus . My recollection is that The Romanticists, of polite letters, of a literary Boy's Herald was originally published in the middle Götterdämmerung , of a dying century and a dying seventies (query, by Hall & English?) and continued at tradition. Such survivors are often found in the field of intervals through several ownerships until Edwin Hadley professional arts and letters, but are less common in the Smith secured possession of the ancient wood-cuts; he vestibule that we call amateur journalism, where arriving still gets out an occasional issue, ─the oldest paper and departing guests jostle each other with barely time published in amateur journalism. [ Boys' Herald was for a hurried “Hail” and “Farewell.” originally issued from New Haven, Connecticut by Lewis In habit and appearance Hill is still ascetic. He H. English and Edward E. Hall, Jr. in September recalls the description of Cassius, 1871 ─ed.] I think The Stylus first appeared under the Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look, editorship of Arthur J. Huss, of Tiffin, Ohio, and some but as a matter of fact his tastes are Epicurean in the old timers may remember him as a brilliant young poet proper sense of that much-abused term. Years ago he and writer, circa 1878-1882; when Hill resurrected it, abandoned his pipe in deference to medical advice, but The Stylus at once became the leading literary and critical occasionally permits himself a ceremonial glass of some magazine of its period. It was published more or less as a mild vin de cru such as our grandmothers used to concoct quarterly, from July 1888 to July 1898, and it was my out of elderberries, currants or what not. His active privilege to contribute to some of the earlier issues, hobby is printing, and he finds relaxation in the though I cannot honestly say that my immature effusions collection and reading of rare editions. At one time he added anything to the magazine's reputation. Hill was had a fine collection of Poeana, which unfortunately largely responsible for the “discovery” and subsequent vanished from sight in New York, after he had encouragement of such notable literary contributors as J. generously donated it to the Poe Cottage at Fordham. J. Mack, Katharine Parsons and Fanny Kemble Johnson. Now he concentrates on Thoreau and Lamb, and has

9 many fine “firsts” on his shelves, and other annotated and 1915.) autographed volumes that were treasured by those authors, such as Thoreau's copy of Byron. Those of us An inquiry in The Fossil for a certain issue of who are favored with copies of his infrequent Spectator that publication suggests to me that our organization may always look forward to his quaint colloquies with Alice, be the means of aiding brother Fossils to acquire books the familiar spirit of his print shop, who emerges from and papers long since inaccessible. her enchanted realm behind the looking glass to perplex In September, 1882 ─or mayhap October of that him with her pointed questions and candid comments. year ─while living in Detroit, Mich., I issued my first Alice is not wholly a figment of the imagination; as an amateur paper, in company with George T. Hargreaves. inquisitive little girl she was her father's beloved The Spectator ─four pages of two columns each, about companion in the old print shop, but now she has grown nine or ten ems wide ─was printed in Stanberry, Mo., by up to be a very clever young woman who directs the an amateur whose name evades me. [Edna Hyde affairs of a large public library in Arizona. The key to a McDonald's Fossil obituary for Hill, reprinted herein, simple and lovable character may be found in these identifies the printer of the first issue of The Spectator as urbane conversations between Alice and The Spectator, Dee A. Cannon ─ed.] Later I issued a tiny thing called wherein satire and philosophy mingle and dissolve in Our Boys , and still later, about January, 1883, Our such airy ambiguities as almost to invoke the gentle spirit Scribe . The former was printed by “Wallie” Sellman (age of Elia himself. But down there on the border of Mexico, sixteen), and the latter by Russell Robb, of Mentor fame, the temperature often mounts to 120 degrees, and for a a well-known Detroit amateur. Later, in 1884, I issued man well along in years the labor of setting and one number of The Journal . A copy of this paper has distributing type is apt to be rather severe. My old friend come to me from my friend, the President of the Fossils rises in the cool interval preceding dawn, when working [Joseph Salabes ─ed.]. Then, at two different periods, conditions are pleasant; he sees the sun rise majestically came the well-known Boys' Herald , and later The Stylus . from behind the Guadeloupes, and in early evening The only copies I have of the old papers are the watches it sink in fiery splendor beyond the Sierra single issue of The Journal and a file of The Stylus . If Madres in Mexico. The mountains and Mesa are only any brother Fossil can aid me to a copy of any of these twelve miles distant, and they beckon to him, but there is “publications,” I shall be grateful. work to be finished in his printery....A while later, he There must be other Fossils who are desirous of doffs his ink-stained smock, locks the cabana and walks possessing old-time papers and amateur “books” which slowly back to the house, where a shady screened porch some brother would be glad to pass on. Why not let our invites him, ─a porch with a comfortable deck chair, and wants be known through the columns of The Fossil ? perhaps a long, cool drink, and a packet of books newly Several years ago my friend, Will T. Scofield, arrived from his dealer. With what eager anticipation he issued a souvenir number of Our Sanctum . I like these cuts the string and opens up his treasure trove! With what reliquiae of the old days. Why not more of them? Why gusto the bibliophile pours a libation to his latest not an occasional number of a beloved publication, for acquisition! The ineffable balm of eventide descends as circulation solely among the Fossils? exotic airs from across the Rio Grande barely stir the drowsy vines; the book slips from his hands as “sleep Hill proceeded to revive The Spectator as an occasional knits up the ravelled sleave of care.” Tomorrow the publication in the 1930s and 1940s. He issued a new weary Spectator must prepare his current leaflet for the number of The Stylus in July 1942. mails, but tonight he has earned his repose, and so we leave him to his nostalgic dreams of a happier period SOME OLD-TIME PRESSES than this sad world will ever know again. The silhouette has eluded me; I can only project a shadow of Edwin B. Hill indeterminate outline, a vague adumbration of the real Edwin B. Hill, ─one of the most delightful but evasive (Reprinted from The Fossil (vol. XLIV no. 4, whole no. persons that it has ever been my good fortune to know. 114), April 1947.)

RELIQUIAE OF THE OLD DAYS In the earliest days of amateur journalism nearly all amateurs acquired equipment and printed their own Edwin B. Hill papers. As interest increased, these early-day printers ─amateurs ever ─gradually commenced printing (Reprinted from The Fossil (whole no. 35), December other papers for recruits. These early presses always

10 interested. Of the hand-presses, Benj. B. Pelham, editor of The amateurs of the late '60's and '70's were The Venture , utilized a Standard (now designated Pilot); equipped with two makes of presses, the Army press and Russell Robb, a Golding Official; my own press, a the Novelty. Both were hand-inking. Excellent work was Columbian No. 1, of which brand I have here the replica, accomplished on the Novelty. Will L. Wright's Egyptian Will L. Washburn's famous press, on which he printed Star , printed in Cairo, Illinois, was the best of all. His his miniature books. Until his retirement three years ago, press-work was perfect. None to exceed it has been done this was the oldest private press in the United States. today with self inkers, rotaries, or motor-driven presses. Glover A. Snow, of the Kelsey Company, Later came other amateur presses, hand-inking, Meriden, Connecticut, in a private letter, says: “Kelsey and still later the self-inking press, most popular of all, purchased the names of B. O. Woods & Co., and the manufactured and in use today. Will Kelsey was pioneer Novelty Press Co. As far as I know, the press-patterns in the development of the hand-press. These presses, were never used thereafter. They must have been improved and perfected, are still manufactured by the destroyed eventually. Kelsey bought Joseph Watson in Kelsey Company of Meriden, Connecticut. 1897. He purchased J. Cook & Co., makers of the It is recalled that the Baltimorean press was Enterprise and the Victor, in 1883. The Victor was the manufactured in both hand- and self-inking format. only one of these outfits that he ever manufactured.” Another make, the Favorite, was the first press used by James J. O'Connell, who later acquired a United States EDWIN B. HILL Jobber ─rotary ─which he used until he entered the field of professional writing. O'Connell did the finest work of any Edna Hyde McDonald amateur of his day. Curtis & Mitchell manufactured presses on (Reprinted from The Fossil (vol. XLVII no. 1, whole no. which excellent work was done. This press, both hand 123) for July 1949.) and foot-power, was popular among amateurs in the early '80's, and is in use today by old-time amateurs. The press Edwin B. Hill was inoculated with the printing was made in various sizes. This firm also manufactured virus at the age of six, when in Pontiac, Michigan, some the Caxton press, smaller than the Columbian, which did husky young printers played baseball on the commons excellent work. near his home. Hero worship determined the course he Then there was the Standard, side-lever, self- would follow. inking, now known as the Pilot. Its general appearance is His first press was a Daisy, hand-inked, He similar to that of the Columbian, which also was side- exchanged this for a better contraption upon which he lever. taught himself how to print and was so satisfied with the Golding & Company also manufactured result that, upon finishing school, he took a job as devil excellent presses, among them the Official, hand-lever. with the Michigan Christian Herald . Then there was the Model press, hand-inking and later In 1884 he printed The Journal , a small amateur rotary as well as hand-lever. It is still manufactured in a news-sheet, and thus began his career as a full-fledged revised format. private press-man. It was Hill who printed Richard The writer's first press was a little hand-inking Gerner's “Terrible Snow,” and Hill who launched The “Daisy” (a misnomer!). Later came a Columbian, and Stylus in July 1888. The Stylus was a quarterly, printed then the Standard. Then there was reversion to the one page at a time, and ran for ten years. Excelsior and the Caxton, both of which were destroyed In the course of his amateur career he met in a storage warehouse fire. George T. Hargreaves who contributed little essays to Finally came a replica of that early love, the amateur papers over the name Alcestis . Hargreaves told Columbian, No. 1. It is in use today ─as it hopefully will Hill of the Detroit Amateur Journalists Club and the be to finality. National Amateur Press Association. The fever caught Three Detroit amateurs were professional Hill. Hargreaves and Hill planned a paper and in printers, in the '80's, using rotary presses. Will J. Baker, October, 1882, the first number of The Spectator , printed editor of Youth , utilized a Gordon; Jason J. Ackerman, of by Dee A. Cannon, was in their hands to gloat over. So Odds and Ends , a mammoth Model; and Albert J. far as is known, no copy of that issue survives. Stranger, of The Stranger , a Columbian. It was on Hill's first warm friend in the hobby was Will R. Ackerman's mammoth Model that I first “kicked” a press, Antisdel. In later years, Hargreaves, Hill and Antisdel and in his office I learned the rudiments of straight- entered the professional field together on the Detroit matter composition. That was in 1882. Tribune . When that paper was sold, Hill transferred to

11 the Detroit Times , as State editor; and later, when the discerning amateur and professional journalist. In this Times folded, he went to the Detroit Journal as news essay the duty of every right-thinking person is set forth editor, succeeding Hargreaves there. In 1902, due to in language simple, classical and forceful. The Friendly failing health, he resigned and for six years lived alone in Quill is well-printed and the format is pleasing. Long the Michigan woods. In 1908 he moved to Arizona, may it drive!... Cadences is a broadside of verse and where he remained ten years; then to Texas, where in comment that warms the ancient heart of THE 1920 he established his residence at Yselta. SPECTATOR. The temporary suspension of this Here he embarked on the publication of quarterly is regretted...THE SPECTATOR recently brochures in limited editions, although he had always learned of the passing of that fine writer and critic, James preferred this type of work. In 1900, actually, he engaged Jay O'Connell, who left us 10 February, 1934. He will be in a project which would strike the modern amateur remembered by the old guard as the father of amateur printer as prodigious. He hand-set and printed, one page literature. He was a reformer. His pen was vitriolic in at a time, one hundred and seventy-one pages of a critical estimate of the mediocrities of the 1880's, at the collection of essays, Pertaining to Thoreau . Free same time commending the work of those who later evenings, holidays, all spare time was devoted to this became known for the excellence of their literary output. enterprise which took him a year and a half. It is ironic to O'Connell as printer and publisher printed many of the note that devotion to something extolling the simple life papers and magazines of those golden days, the finished should so affect young Hill's health that he was obliged to workmanship winning him highest praise. O'Connell's leave Detroit for the wooded country of Lakeland, later years were passed in seclusion. He contributed to Michigan, to restore his own health. magazines in New York. For years he had withdrawn The printing hobby pursued him all his life. In wholly from the ranks of amateur writers, but the results 1947 he celebrated sixty-five years in the fraternity. of his criticisms are in evidence unto this day and He was born August 17, 1866 and died April 6, generation... 1949. (February 25, 1936) FROM THE FILES OF THE SPECTATOR [UNTITLED]

Edwin B. Hill THE SPECTATOR delights in haunting certain old junkeries in the neighbor-city El Paso, wherein Selected by Ken Faig, Jr. occasionally are to be acquired books, Indian baskets, Navajo blankets, and brass candlesticks, to all of which Issued on Impulse he is addict. The other day, amongst a lot of disjecta To Circulate Amongst Friends membra , a yellow cover book caught the eye. Immediately was recalled an amateur of the Golden Age. [UNTITLED] “Lawn Tennis Lessons for Beginners,” by J. Parmly Paret. The book is now included in THE SPECTATOR's THE SPECTATOR pauses on the threshold collection of volumes by our old-time editors. Paret's once more and, possibly, finally, not unwilling to enter name is on the membership roll of The Fossils. Years ago into the charmed circle, but hesitantly considering his we were correspondents. The acquisition of the book is a reception. This little paper claims irregularity of issue. It bridge between the old days and those of today, and for is not sent forth generously, ─in fact, the number printed that and other reasons, dear...The insignia on our coinage is small, and the circulation limited to those friends who might very properly be altered to “O Debt, Where Is Thy wish to receive. But it is not denied to anyone who cares Sting!” Or, possibly, we are being stung sufficiently enough to acknowledge receipt of an issue. A new without further wholly unnecessary admission. In this mailing list is in formation, and it will be a pleasure to Land of Broken Promise the only trust left us is in that add the name of any amateur friendly to the motto on our coinage, ─so blatantly antagonistic to fact. paper...Among the exchanges which come to our desk Basest betrayal seems most popular with the philistines one is apart from the rest. It is respite from the madness of this mad world....THE SPECTATOR has been delving of this sad world to read in The Friendly Quill the into amateur journals of the past, and finding great joy quotations from Thoreau. This reminds THE therein. Two poems that appeal to him are entitled SPECTATOR that Thoreau's thoughtful essay “Civil “Ambition.” The following is by Ed. A. Oldham: Disobedience” should be generally read by every The shackled slave who tends his master's call,

12 Has but one master at whose feet to fall, ─ feed the frogs,” said Alice, as the door closed on her But who has mere ambition for his god, passing. Fears many more than one tyrannic rod. And so, for once, an issue of the little paper is The other is from The Violet ,─a magazine published in sent to every member of the National Amateur Press Cincinnati in the Halcyon Days of '80's: Association. Man stands alone. Unaided he may rise, ...“Brittle Sticks,” by F. D. W., includes the last Ambition lifts him to the very skies; verse from the pen of Frank D. Woollen, poet, essayist, This but the reward of all his toil ─ sketch writer, critic. Woollen was editor of a fine and A narrow resting-place in noisome soil! scholarly magazine, Red Letter Days , and of The ...“I gather me up unto the old things.” What would not National Amateur . Copies of this brochure are offered THE SPECTATOR give ─not in Coin of the Realm, but for sale at sixty cents. Only a few remain, and there is no in gratitude ─for a sight of those old copies of the New further issue...In the Golden Age of amateur letters the York Mirror , in their rough bindings, all uncut, upon printing of little booklets was common. Are these days to which he once did feast his eyes back in Detroit! And the pass unheeded? Are our amateur printers interested to amateur papers of the 1880's, when Detroit was the renew the past activity? Let us then be not as those Banner City! And the books that were read and the nights without hope. The field awaits!...THE SPECTATOR that were given to golden talk! The garrulities of hesitates once more. Fifty-five years ago ─in October, Age ─and the glorious memories ─alone survive. The 1882 ─No. 1 of this little paper came from the printer to candle all but gutters in the socket. delight the eyes of one of the editors. It was of four They are not long, the days of wine and roses: pages, two columns to the page, each column eight or Out of a misty dream nine ems in width, size and format as the present number. Our path emerges for a while, then closes No copy exists as far as is known. Shall another number Within a dream. go forth ─or shall the curtain fall? Time alone may solve So wrote Ernest Dowson ─and it is from the heart. the problem of indecision. If THE SPECTATOR were to dedicate this and past issues of the paper, it would be to (August 17, 1937) those who have loved our little world, one and all: and especially to those who print their own papers, and who [UNTITLED] are devotees of the craft, ─even as I, at seventy-one, who love and honor it beyond words. The Little Lady occupied the Chair of State in To the amateur journalists of today in farewell the print-shop. ...We who are about to die “I've been wondering” ─ Salute you! “You mean wandering, Alice,” THE SPECTATOR broke in. (October 1937) “No, it's you who do the wandering, when you print THE SPECTATOR,” replied ALice. [UNTITLED] Surely there was nothing further to be said. However, Alice broke the silence once more. THE SPECTATOR has taken into his heart of “Why do you so like the little papers ─and why heart old-time amateur papers, vintage of the 1880's, don't you send THE SPECTATOR to all of them?” graciously sent him by Fossil Homer M. Green. All are THE SPECTATOR “stood awhile in thought.” from the old home, Detroit, Michigan, and each and He looked at Alice quizzically. every one bears the name of an amateur well known to “Because I print only forty copies, and send to the editors of those days, ─friends esteemed by THE the old-timers and the old friends. Others may not care. I SPECTATOR, who knew them, ─who recalls them one once sent forth “thumb-nail” papers ─but that was more by one after the long years. Rudolph Ortmann, of the than fifty years ago. I was somewhat younger then.” Detroit Amateur ; Jason J. Ackerman, of Odds and Alice looked at THE SPECTATOR and smiled. Ends ,─both ex-presidents of the Detroit Amateur “`Age hath somewhat withered him,'” she Journalists' Club, which flourished those glorious years misquoted to make the point. when the City of the Straits, with its twenty-two papers, “Only mentally,” THE SPECTATOR replied. was the banner city of amateur journalism. The names of “Well, that's to be expected,” said Alice. Gehlert, Carter, Smith, Niles, Bolton, and others are “And not anticipated?” recalled. Hudson was first to pass, then Baker, “Anyway, don't neglect the tadpoles when you Ackerman, Kast, Chamberlain, Antisdel, Ortmann,

13 Remick and others now unremembered. Pelham and His grave in Edmonton; but he survives Hargreaves linger amongst us, and others of the old Their dust and darkness; he remains to cheer guard, how few, ─how very few! The passing doubts, at once both sad and vain, 'Tis many a year since then! Of these obscurities we call our lives, My friends? Oh, where are they? These groping interludes of hope and fear! The boys have grown to men, And the men have passed away. [UNTITLED] ...It is welcome news, ─the progress made on the “History of Amateur Journalism” under the capable editorship of THE SPECTATOR has chronicled the Truman J. Spencer. No one in amateur journalism is departure of many friends of amateur journalism's better equipped for this greatly needed work...It would Golden Age. Each issue of The Fossil adds to the list, bring joy into the lives of many members of The Fossils and therein are disclosed the names of amateurs endeared to revive the old-time paper for even a single issue. Why through years of association and through not a Venture ? A Bergen Post ? Think well on this ─and correspondence...The recent passing of Charles C. then act!...In Fossil Daniels's paper, The News and Heuman, while not wholly unexpected, came as a distinct Observer , Raleigh, North Carolina, a forty-page shock to his friends in The Fossils. He was, with one commemorative issue, our fellow-member writes of his exception, the last of the group of organizers of the years in newspaper work, commencing as an amateur in National Amateur Press Association in Philadelphia in the days long gone. May there be many editorials before 1876. In a letter to THE SPECTATOR, recently, Mr. him...A collection of poems from the pen of Joseph Dana Heuman wrote that he was unable to attend The Fossil Miller will be issued from the private press of THE banquet in April and, while anxious to be present at the SPECTATOR early in the coming year. It will be similar National meeting in Philadelphia, his health would not in format to the preceding issues of the press, reviewed in permit. Mr. Heuman's translations of Heine's poems were the recent issue of The Fossil . Notice of completion will among his contributions to amateur literature. These he be announced. ...Among the treasures in THE was planning to collect for publication in book-form. SPECTATOR's collection of amateurana is a copy of While his name and fame mean little to the amateurs of “Stanzas and Sketches” by James J. today, he was loved and venerated by his associates in O'Connell, ─incomparably the finest specimen of amateur The Fossils. Brave and brilliant and kind, hail and book-making of the day, ─of any day. This copy was the farewell. gift of Fossil Will T. Scofield, whose departure was loss most grievous. His life in memory is inspiration. >>>==>

This issue of THE SPECTATOR , hand-set in eight-point THE SPECTATOR felicitates The Fossils. The Century Expanded, and printed on an Excelsior hand- election of E. D. Stair to the presidency of the press by the Editor, is dedicated with greatest esteem, to organization confers additional honors upon one who is George T. Hargreaves, one of the Editors, then in gratefully and graciously remembered by one of the staff Detroit, Michigan, in October of 1882. This Fossil of the Detroit Journal of 1900, of which our president number is of October, 1938. was the publisher and the director. THE SPECTATOR contributed the editorial paragraphs printed each day. MUSING ON ELIA'S PAGE May their bitterness be forgotten, though not forgiven by the subjects! Rheinhart Kleiner >>>==> Musing on Elia's page when winter night And cold and silence close on circling hills, Alice, up in Indian country in the Summer, still When frosty moonbeams fall on snowy sills, was possessed of lurking literary tastes. She undoubtedly I find my lamp-lit solitude grown bright! missed the amateur papers so necessary to her intellectual Sweet, human warmth that sorrow could not life. In one characteristic letter, mentioning THE blight, SPECTATOR's dereliction, she said: “It is beautiful up True laughter that defied besetting ills ─ here. You ought to come up for air.” THE SPECTATOR Such reassurances his pen instills was somewhat amused at the adjuration, for, after In human hearts, in hastening time's despite! reading certain clownish utterances bordering on the Dim, deep'ning decades long have overlain profane ─utterances the perpetrators may miscall wit ─he

14 feels the need ofttimes of deserting the depths for a purer And,” Alice continued, “that is their misfortune. atmosphere ─temporarily, at least. Probably they couldn't find anyone who would write that sort of thing and do it so much better ─as it should be >>>==> done. And so ─” THE SPECTATOR chuckled. Alice ofttimes It still remains for the discerning amateur to forsook the rapier for the broad-axe. She resumed after a announce that the best parts of the little paper are the pause: arrows dividing the paragraphs. THE SPECTATOR “You don't appreciate the place some of the suggests ─and anticipates hopefully. younger members occupy in the ranks.” “Their offense is rank,” THE SPECTATOR >>>==> broke in. “You see, so many have the wrong idea of what amateur journalism should be, not what it is, in fact. This issue of THE SPECTATOR is sent forth during the That's what the old Reformers, as they were called, tried golden month of October, 1940, commemorating the to impress upon their contemporaries. It failed. The initial issue of October, 1882. The verse is set in ten- Reformers were maligned, but their suggested reforms point Caslon, and the paragraphs in eight-point Century were finally adopted in part by those very Philistines who Expanded. The press-work is done on an Excelsior press, drove them from the ranks. But all that is ancient once the property of Tim Thrift, former president of history.” N.A.P.A. Edwin B. Hill, Editor, Yselta, Texas, U.S.A. “Why, that's what they are doing today! And it seems the same thing is going on and on always!” ALICE ”Well, in the words of a great man who saw the futility of the struggle, `Who cares, and what does it THE SPECTATOR was chuckling over a matter?'” bookish circular which heralded the wonderful work “It does matter,” said Alice. “Everything another “discovery” had put forth. Skeptically, he laid it matters. Just keep on trying and doing.” aside. Alice, deeply engrossed in recent issues of The “As Robert Louis Stevenson said somewhere, National Amateur , finally looked up hesitantly. `Do right, and let the world slide.'” “Now there is that September number of 1940. Alice is right. THE SPECTATOR personally It isn't so interesting, after all. There is a blank page ─” will allow the rest to go, when and where and to, may be “Why, it's the most entertaining page in the decided later by a more intelligent posterity. Lost causes, issue! You can imagine so many things omitted that though never wholly lost, are only a challenge to might have found place there! It isn't the things printed Youth, ─the sort of Youth typified by Hemingway's hero that interest us, it's the things our amateurs don't print.” in the Spanish war. And Browning was eternally right ─ Alice was puzzled. No star “You don't seem to consider what you call the Was ever lost, but rose afar. “amenities” of amateur journalism. You're all for poems In Vishnu-land what Avatar? and essays and sketches and you forget that most amateurs care for other things.” (October 1941) “Exactly. Literature means nothing to many of our amateurs. They are keen for politics, and office- ALICE getting leads everything in their world of make-believe. The attempts at wit and the violent searches after the THE SPECTATOR, having resurrected an wrong word in the right place seem to give pleasure to ancient copy of “Bab Ballads” and passed it on to Alice, that element which rules our little organization.” was somewhat surprised at her solemnity. The little book Alice was seriously trying to absorb this did not amuse. reflection cast upon her favorite pastime ─a reflection the “Alice, would you prefer the old dictionary? Or purport of which would gradually be allowed to find would you care for something less weighty?” place in her understanding of the essence of true amateur Alice laughed. Then she discovered the card of journalism. inquiry on the upturned type-case, which was her ”Well, anyway, thee are some good papers that reading-desk in the print-shop. Round-eyed, she turned to you approve of, I know. There's Masaka and Bellette and her fidus achates . Olympian and Causerie and others I've read and like a “Why, I'm asked if I'm Alice! If I'm not Alice, lot. They are real. Some of them print your things, too. who am I? I don't understand!”

15 “Well, sometimes I'm skeptical. Really, I don't the process. She was interested in the details of the know but what, after all, you're some what of a sprite. mechanism, and in the care that was expended upon its Best tell me now and settle it for all time.” workmanship by the makers. Finally she broke the There were tears in the child's eyes when she silence. looked at her questioner. He smiled his reassurance. “It's a beautiful little press. I like so much to see “I am I ─Alice. I'm real, and I know you know it. you print on it. There must have been many others used You're just trying to tease. I'm foolish to feel that way. by amateur printers in the old days ─maybe by some of But you know I care a lot for things you care a lot for, them today.” and when you say things like that they hurt.” “There were other presses for amateurs made THE SPECTATOR was quick with apology. and used for many years before the Caxton was Then he laid the latest National bundle on the “desk” and invented,” THE SPECTATOR said, reminiscently. “The Alice soon forgot her personal griefs. first was probably the Novelty. I never saw but one of “Here is a little paper that I know caused the these, and that was in an amateur printers' warehouse in printer a lot of worry. I think he is trying hard to do Detroit. It must have been sixty-odd years ago ─in the late something, but he's not quite succeeding.” '70's.” “That, Alice dear, is what we are all Alice was interested. doing ─trying and failing and sometimes succeeding. But “Did you print on it?” she asked, with a we keep on and hope we'll succeed next time.” somewhat quizzical smile. “That is what I have always thought,” Alice THE SPECTATOR denied the implication. He replied. “You know, we can't always do things we set out was trying to remember all the amateur presses that he to do. We just try to accomplish something. And then, had worked with ─and they were legion! All the long when we do succeed it's a glory and a day of sunshine.” years he had yearned to possess one of these old presses, “Sometimes I believe that it's all a striving and a even unto this day. That, he knew, was a wish never to be striving and an ending in nothing, as a certain great man fulfilled. said so many years ago. Mayhap he was right.” “I've remembrance of my first press ─a Daisy. It Alice was thoughtful. “I think you're what a was a tiny affair, hand-inking. Then came a small friend of yours called you once ─a pessimistic Baltimorean, also hand-inking. There was then a Model optimist ─or was it an optimistic pessimist?” hand-inker. After that the self-inkers came “Oh, either way will do in a pinch. Both are swiftly ─Columbian, Standard, Excelsior, Caxton. And correct to fit varying moods.” how I loved it all ─the work and the presses!” THE SPECTATOR looked away. Alice once Alice watched the final cleansing of the press, more was right. The child was very discerning. Beneath it and the wiping away of the superfluous oil which all was the solemnity of truth, undenied. He certainly accumulated unnecessarily. lived the life of the spirit, insofar as possible ─the abiding “It's all so interesting ─the little press and the affection for the amateurs of today and their efforts to work which really isn't work. I know it gives you joy to win the battle ─even as THE SPECTATOR strove so set the types and then to print ─and then when you have many years ago ─and failed. done all this you do what you call `throw in' the types and “The reward is in the doing” came then into prepare for another printing of something you and I are mind. so glad to see.” Alice had resumed reading the mimeographed “Well, as long as it's you and I, we are content,” and the printed papers. There was no separation of the THE SPECTATOR replied. sheep from the goats. Just joy in the fact that the Then he checked over mentally the work amateurs were following the tents of the previous accomplished recently ─a reprint of Emerson's notice of discussion, and, happily, sometimes succeeding in the the death of Henry D. Thoreau, first printed in a Boston quest. The Greeks and Troy! They tried and finally paper a day or so after the passing of the poet-naturalist; succeeded. John Neal's letter to Edgar Allan Poe, in which Neal criticized Poe's English, together with Edmund Clarence (December 1941) Stedman's estimate of the contents of the letter. Poe is among the immortals, while Neal is forgotten. Followed [UNTITLED] a poem, `Thoreau,' a broadside; then two brochures of verse, not yet completed; and, of course, inevitably, THE THE SPECTATOR was cleaning up the little SPECTATOR. Caxton press after a short run. Alice had been watching So much bought and for. So reads the old saw.

16 The pleasure and the pain! It has been very much worth Philatelia? You will find the Goddess gracious as you while, after all. enter her presence, patient as she unfolds her mysteries “And again, something has been and entrancing as you become better acquainted with her. accomplished.” May these Tales not only entertain you, but lead you on Alice smiled. Then, after a long pause, she said, into the delights of the hobby universal. “We are so happy in caring a lot for the things we care a lot for, and so we'll just keep on caring for those things.” Beverly, Mass., May 15, 1916. It was very like her to console and to praise. And always ─always to be ─Alice. THE ILLS OF JIMMY O'.

(April 19, 1942) Edwin B. Hill

FOREWORD (Reprinted from Range Tales , Boston, Massachusetts, Severn-Wylie-Jewett Company, 1916.) Willard O. Wylie The streets of Willow ran yellow with mingled (Reprinted from Range Tales , Boston, Massachusetts, 'dobe and water. Real rain had fallen upon the Severn-Wylie-Jewett Company, 1916.) unsuspecting earth, and for fully three days the sun had not shone, ─an unprecedented thing for Arizona. I count it a great privilege and a great honor to “Right here is where I begin to get some write this prefatory word. I have known the author since peevish,” declared my friend, Jimmy O'., as he looked boyhood days, when we both worshipped at the shrine of out upon the lowering sky. “Three days I can stand it, amateur journalism and developed the attachment for then I seek solitude, or I fight my best friends.” printers' ink that has never deserted us. Now Jimmy O'., be it known, had forsaken the One cannot read the Tales assembled in this way of the transgressor on pleasure bent, via the cow-boy booklet without sensing the real literary ability that route, and was hoarding his coin-of-the-realm to augment brought them into being. Moreover, I may add that we his “collection,” donated ─with the aid of $87.50 of would have a profound admiration for the writer could Jimmy O'.'s cash ─by his bosom friend, Johnny Williams, we realize the difficulties under which he has labored in of the Gila country; all of which has been duly set forth producing them. “in a previous issue,” as the magazines say. Jimmy O'. After all, we know but little about those whom was just returning from a fortnight's visit to Johnny, and we call friends. We chat with them, but we know nothing had reached my shack when the skies opened. For three about the heart-aches, nothing about the trials and days Jimmy had soaked up rain and stampic information temptations, and with a word of the commonplace, when alternately. But Jimmy could cook, and he was “good the human touch is needed, we pass on. company,” so I could endure a fortnight of The world is too busy, too formal, too him ─almost ─during a rain in Arizona. merciless, too intent upon the dollar to pause in its “Finest climate in the world,” chirped Jimmy. headlong rush towards the commercial with the result “Great country, too, until they put water on it. Now we're that the finer sensibilities of the soul become smothered ruined.” by materialism. Jimmy looked as gloomy as the skies. He made God be praised however that here and there it personal. For me, I failed to see wherein the ruin lay. may be found those who have not forgotten the Sermon Six or seven crops of alfalfa a year under irrigation on the Mount. They are indeed “the salt of the earth.” looked good to me. But Jimmy rambled on, and I knew They radiate the gospel of good cheer and neighborliness something worth while was sure to follow, especially and their daily deeds modestly performed are oases in the when he began deftly with one hand to roll a cigarette. vast expanse of things material. “The greatest game of baseball I ever saw was In these Tales we find a string of pearls. Each on Grand Island, Niagara River, on the 3d or 5th of July, one is an entity in itself, yet each one breathes the spirit '89. There was a collection of stamps on third base, and of the free air of hill and plain. The simile is perfected in every man who reached it had his pick free. I don't just the relationship that exists between them. They are strung remember who got first choice, but I managed to get a upon the chord of philately, than which there is no finer couple.” hobby in all the world. This was the point where I sat up suddenly. Would you know more of the charms of fair Jimmy was just 26: that settled him. Then I remembered.

17 There were some old amateur papers in the tent-house, there yet, ─vintage o' 66. My eye! It was funny! An' then I vintage of the '80's and '90's, and Jimmy had been spotted a bottle with a stamp ─one o' those Father-of-His- absorbing them with a purpose. Country affairs. `Never say die,' says I. `While there's life “Fine bunch o' sports. Friends o' mine, too. there's hope. Jimmy O'., you're on the verge of a great There was Sammy Stinson, who knocked always three- find. Go slow ─but not too slow. Also, you may have to baggers; an' there was `Willow,' who never agreed with borrow money!' `Anti,' and them two delayed the game in-or-di-nate-ly. “Say, the symptoms I developed would stump a An' there was another friend o' mine there, too, who was horse-doctor, let alone a human one. Why, I had some unfortunate. He never got to third base.” everything from cholera infantum to the heaves! Honest! Be it known, en parenthese , that on that day of And that old Ananias aided and abetted me, b'jinks! It July, '89, both the managing editor of MEKEEL'S cost me $11.60 ─he knocked off a dollar and two bits WEEKLY and the humble writer of these sketches when I had that acute attack of `balm-for-women' played in a game of base ball at the place designated. It disease ─according to the symptom book ─and the stamps. was a battle royal between the East and the West, I annexed the only two bottles he had.” members of the National Amateur Press Association. But Here Jimmy waved his cigarette hand at the there wasn't a stamp collection on third base, ─only a keg phantom six-cents Proprietary. “It was real unlady-like of of water. I shall never forget that, for I nearly died of him, but I sure appreciated it ─him making me think I had thirst. I was the old friend Jimmy felt sorry for! it bad,” declared Jimmy, with his humorous grin. “An' “It was a great convention,” continued Jimmy. say! I found when I rode on to Johnny's, to say good bye, “I think I got these two stamps yet.” He fumbled amongst that nine o' them bottles had busted on me, an' my saddle- some letters inside his shirt, drew forth a tattered bags was sure some afloat. But I saved the stamps.” envelope, and extracted a fragment of an approval sheet, Then Jimmy proceeded to dig out more letters which he passed over to me. from which another sheet was finally extracted. And I If I sat up when Jimmy began his monologue, I gloated! A four cents vermillion D. S. Barnes, ─a one cent sat up some more here and now, for what my eyes rested black Brandreth, perforated, ─a two cents black, P. H. on were two copies of the six cents Proprietary, orange, Drake & Co., ─and a six cents orange, James Swaim, in immaculate condition. as like as two perfect stamps were among the treasures. I figured Jimmy had acquired could be. about $700.00, catalogue value, for his $11.60. “And I says to myself, last week,” continued “An' now,” said Jimmy, “as the sun begins to Jimmy, ungrammatically, “if the gods are good, and I show symptoms, I reckon I'll saddle up and hustle along survive, I'll give one o' these souvenirs to a friend o' mine to Three Bar X. You see, I fed them two bottles o' that who sure got less than he deserved at that game in '89.” woman's friend to a Pima buck who sure had a thirst. He Whereupon Jimmy held out his hand for the thought it was a new brand o' firewater. I bet he got sheet, gazed at it intently, detached the copy which he revenge on his squaw, somethin' fierce. Johnny told me deemed the preferable, and passed it back to me. The they was a dep'ty sheriff lookin' fer a young man on a other he poked into his breast-works once more, and pinto horse. I fear that's my name. I tell you, son, you let resumed his attention to another cigarette. women alone!” “One lovely day in April,” he began after I had With that advice, Jimmy rapidly effaced himself expressed my thanks. “One lovely day in April, as I said from the borderland of Willow. before ─and it didn't rain, either ─Mr. James O'., for short, went to see his friend Johnny W. for long ─say a couple o' BASEBALL AT THE BUFFALO CONVENTION weeks.” I feared the absorption of recent magazine John Travis Nixon literature was corrupting Jimmy's “style,” but he abruptly swung into his pace. I grew more interested. (Extracted from Nixon's History of the National Amateur “Gila is all right for about nine days. Then you Press Association [Crowley, Louisiana: the author, wonder if you can stand it four more. The wonder gets on 1900], p. 208.) your nerves. Mine, that is. Johnny and I wore it out on the round-up, and then I began to wish I had an old On Saturday morning [July 6, 1889], some catalogue along. I took to prowling around town. About thirty amateur journalists embarked on board a steamer four days after ─it was the last day I was there ─I hit on a chartered for the purpose, and were transported along the drug store, run by an old codger who'd brought his junk Niagara river to Grand Island. Here the annual ball game out from the East in a prairie schooner, and most if it was was played, resulting in a complete victory for the

18 Eastern nine. The principal features of the game were the POINT-COUNTERPOINT heavy batting of Stinson, the brilliant pitching of Ottinger and Boruck, the wonderful base running of Chrystie, the Charles D. Isaacson & H. P. Lovecraft startling success of Heath as an umpire ably assisted by Brown and the remaining members of both nines, the (Reprinted from Isaacson's In A Minor Key (June 1915) magnificent work of Crossley at first base, and last but and Lovecraft's The Conservative (vol. 1 no. 2), July not least, the persistent efforts of Wylie to secure fair 1915) play. The game took about two hours, one-half of which was consumed in wading through swamps and hay fields To The Greatest American Thinker in search of the ball; the rest in chasing it over the diamond when thrown to a baseman or when struck by a Charles D. Isaacson lucky batsman. In the afternoon an excursion was made to Walt Whitman! Proudest name in all modern Niagara. The party arrived safely in Buffalo in time for a literature. Successor in grandeur to Milton, successor to 10 o'clock supper. Dante in magnitude. When 3 o'clock sounded from the church tower I read Whitman, and the world takes on new on Sunday morning [July 7, 1889], the last festive beauties. I read Whitman and the very nothingnesses of amateur had scampered off to bed, and Buffalo in '89 was existence attain a charm that formerly was reserved for a thing of the past. the rarest of joys. The following amateurs were in attendance at When Whitman speaks, mere rhymers and poets one or more sessions of the Buffalo convention: C. N. sink into the play world. For here is a man to whom the Andrews, W. R. Antisdel, Al. E. Barker, N. N. Block, M. matter of life is a serious thing ─albeit a wonderful F. Boechat, L. S. Boruck, W. J. Brodie, Geo. S. Brown, romance. C. R. Burger, W. B. Burger, H. M. Carter, W. C. Chiles, I think that Whitman shall become in a hundred T. L. Chrystie, A. D. Cochrane, H. R. Cody, M. A. years the most potent factor in the civilizing of the world Cohen, Harriet C. Cox, Harry Crossley, W. F. Danforth, and that his teachings will be the basis for the physical, W. W. Delaney, Geo W. Dodd, Jr., Duhme (proxy W. G. spiritual and political life of the future. Muirehead), E. A. Edkins, J. R. Gleason, E. A. Goeway, Let us have done with the insipidity of the A. D. Grant, Fred Hanchett, F. F. Heath, C. M. conventionalist and gradually wend our way into the Heineman, H. J. Heislein, J. G. Heyn, ─ Heyn, E. B. Hill, beautiful land of Whitman. Life is new and vital. The H. C. Hochstadter, Jas. Kavanagh, Louis Kempner, F. R. dicta of yesterday are ancient and must be laid along the Luescher, F. T. Mayer, W. E. Mellinger, ─ Metcalf, J. D. broader universalistic lines of Whitman and his Miller, Cora Ottinger, J. J. Ottinger, T. H. Parsons, E. H. followers. Pugh, H. B. Saunders, F. E. Schermerhorn, S. S. Stinson, ─ Symonds, J. L. Tomlinson, E. G. Wyckhoff, W. O. In A Major Key Wylie. H. P. Lovecraft (Buffalo 1889 was the NAPA convention at which Louis Kempner defeated Michael F. Boechat for the It was lately the good fortune of The presidency, 59-37, as recalled in Kempner's speech Conservative to receive from The Blue Pencil Club a reprinted in our last issue. Hill doubtless included a pamphlet entitled In a Minor Key , whose phenomenal recollection of the baseball game at the '89 convention excellence furnishes emphatic evidence that the old in the fourth of his “Range Tales” as a compliment to his National still retains some members who would have old friend Willard O. Wylie. An historian of amateur done it credit even in its palmiest days. But great as may journalism with a time machine might do far worse than be the literary merit of the publication, its astonishing to travel back to Grand Island on the morning of radicalism of thought cannot but arouse an overwhelming Saturday, July 6, 1889, to witness so many of these noted chorus of opposition from the saner elements in amateur amateur journalists, in the prime of their youth, journalism. contending for victory on the baseball diamond. I Charles D. Isaacson, the animating essence of suspect that Frank Earle Schermerhorn was the last the publication, is a character of remarkable quality. survivor of that group of athletes ─ed.) Descended from the race that produced a Mendelssohn, he is himself a musician of no ordinary talent, whilst as a man of literature he is worthy of comparison with his co-

19 religionists Moses Mendez and Isaac D'Israeli. But the but it will not be downed, and every so often it appears in very spirituality which gives elevation to the Semitic all its leering boldness. mind partially unfits it for the consideration of tastes and Martin H. Glynn was defeated for re-election to trends in Aryan thought and writings, hence it is not the Governorship of New York because of his surprising that he is a radical of the extremest sort. Catholicism. Senator Thompson lost the mayoralty of From an ordinary man, the acclamation of Chicago on a single issue ─that he believed in the Church degraded Walt Whitman as the “Greatest American of Rome. Leo Frank is held, condemned in a Georgia Thinker” would come as an insult to the American mind, dungeon because God chanced to give him a Jewish yet with Mr. Isaacson one may but respectfully dissent. faith. Penetrating and forgetting the unspeakable grossness and And now in the form of entertainment, and wildness of the erratic bard, our author seizes on the one made worse because handled with exquisite art ─there is spark of truth within, and magnifies it till it becomes for in New York, and perhaps elsewhere, a preachment him the whole Whitman. The Conservative, in speaking against the negro. It is the most outspoken incitement for the sounder faction of American taste, is impelled to against the black man since the Civil War decided that give here his own lines on Whitman, written several question and hushed those sentiments. “The Birth of a years ago as part of an essay on the modern poets: Nation” is a disgrace to America. Its backers should be Behold great Whitman , whose licentious line flogged. There is no other punishment expressive Delights the rake, and warms the souls of swine; enough. The work of Lincoln and his followers is being Whose fever'd fancy shuns the measur'd pace, torn and rendered less helpful by such as “The Birth of a And copies Ovid's filth without his grace. Nation.” Negroes, Catholics, Jews, Irish, Germans and In his rough brain a genius might have grown, all persecuted peoples, should point a damning finger at Had he not sought to play the brute alone; those responsible in any way for its production. But void of shame, he let his wit run wild, Prejudice must be wiped out. It is the only truly And liv'd and wrote as Adam's bestial child. noxious influence in American life. And the last way to Averse to culture, strange to humankind, accomplish that is to permit The Menace, Life, “The He never knew the pleasures of the mind. Birth of a Nation” and any other sect or race-hating Scorning the pure, the delicate, the clean, medium to continue its fatal appeal. His joys were sordid, and his morals mean. Thro' his gross thoughts a native vigour ran, In A Major Key From which he deem'd himself the perfect man: But want of decency his rank decreas'd, H. P. Lovecraft And sunk him to the level of the beast. Would that his Muse had dy'd before her birth, Mr. Isaacson's views on race prejudice, as Nor spread such foul corruption o'er the earth. outlined in his Minor Key , are too subjective to be impartial. He has perhaps resented the more or less open (These verses were printed as “Fragment on Whitman” aversion to the children of Israel which has ever in S. T. Joshi's edition of Lovecraft's collected verse, The pervaded Christendom, yet a man of his perspicuity Ancient Track (Nightshade Books, 2001), pp. 192-193. should be able to distinguish this illiberal feeling, a In a note (p. 58 note 3) in Lovecraft's Collected Essays 1 religious and social animosity of one white race toward (Hippocampus Books, 2004), Joshi remarks that another white and equally intellectual race, from the Lovecraft's “Essay on Modern Poets” ─from which the natural and scientifically just sentiment which keeps the verses on Whitman were taken ─apparently does not African black from contaminating the Caucasian survive ─ed.) population of the United States. The negro is fundamentally the biological inferior of all White and Discussions even Mongolian races, and the Northern people must occasionally be reminded of the danger which they incur Charles D. Isaacson in admitting him too freely to the privileges of society and government. Prejudice is of all vices the most un-American Mr. Isaacson's protest is directed specifically and yet the most difficult to suppress, even in America. against a widely advertised motion picture, “The Birth of Because it is against the very life principle of the nation's a Nation,” which is said to furnish a remarkable insight soul, against the very foundation idea of the nation's into the methods of the Klu-Klux-Klan, that noble but existence, men deny it and call it by some other name, much maligned band of Southerners who saved half of

20 our country from destruction at the close of the Civil “My countrymen! The time is come for the War. The Conservative has not yet witnessed the picture rarest courage in all history. Our fair land is threatened in question, but he has seen both in literary and dramatic with bloodshed and devastation. All the patriotism and form The Clansman , that stirring, though crude and loyalty and love for my country rises in me and melodramatic story by Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr., on which commands me to be brave. My country and my “The Birth of a Nation” is based, and has likewise made countrymen are threatened by traitors, turning over the a close historical study of the Klu-Klux-Klan, finding as reins of state to a bloody crew of murderers. I call on you a result of his research nothing but Honour, Chivalry, and by all the patriotism in you, by all the loyalty in you, to Patriotism in the activities of the Invisible Empire. The crush this phantom of war, this false will-o'-the-wisp that Klan merely did for the people what the law refused to has lured millions to shameful killing. I ask you to forget do, removing the ballot from unfit hands and restoring to all conventions. I ask you to refuse to kill ─to refuse to the victims of political vindictiveness their natural rights. fight ─to refuse to leave your posts, to refuse to become The alleged lawbreaking of the Klan was committed only slaves to a bloody master. And from across the waters by irresponsible miscreants who, after the dissolution of will rise the shouts of that “enemy” saying ` We will not the Order by its Grand Wizard, Gen. Nathan Bedford fight. We will not march to war. We will not trample our Forrest, used its weird masks and terrifying costumes to finest ideals before that idol of the cloven hoof, that veil their unorganised villainies. traitor masquerading in patriot's garb!'” Race prejudice is a gift of Nature, intended to The literature of the near future is going to preserve in purity the various divisions of mankind which preach this greater courage. It is going to shatter the false the ages have evolved. In comparing this essential traditions that have marred the life of nations and halted instinct of man with political, religious, and national civilization at every cycle of years. prejudices, Mr. Isaacson commits a serious error of logic. Done with, is the shame intoxicant of blood. Over, the delights of murder. Past, the miseries of The Greater Courage suicide.

Charles D. Isaacson Brooklyn, April, 1915.

A new courage is to develop in the future. Its * * * forerunners have been known since civilization began, but it, the greatest bravery, is still to appear. The new Since the above was written, Woodrow Wilson courage is of resistance ─the I-will-not spirit applied to said “There can be such a thing as a nation too proud to war. Courageous men early in the pages of known history fight.” Many have laughed at this; but I predict that it will said, “I will not sin, I will not plunder, I will not rape, I go down in history as one of the greatest statements ever will not disobey God.” Later there were some who said, made. “I will not drink liquors, I will not drug my system with narcotic tobacco, I will not be bound by convention and In A Major Key ignorance to snub those thinkers who call me.” These resisting, these refusing shots, will be H. P. Lovecraft outdistanced by those quiet and brave men who say “I will not go to war.” The Conservative dislikes strong language, but I listened to an American who had gone abroad he feels that he is not exceeding the bounds of propriety to aid the suffering in Belgium, and he said: “War in asserting that the publication of the article entitled develops a new man fighting for a principle ─for “The Greater Courage” is a crime which in a native something greater than himself.” Yet he was willing to American of Aryan blood would be deserving of severe admit that the war was prompted by a mere handful of legal punishment. This appeal to the people to refuse perverts ─and that was the principle. military service when summoned to their flag is an I say that war no longer is the way to settle outrageous attack on the lofty principles of patriotism international difficulties. I say that no longer millions which have turned this country from a savage wilderness should throw down their implements of peace to obey a to a mighty band of states; a slur on the honour of our diplomatic principle of honor. countrymen, who from the time of King Philip's War to I pray for the great man who shall rise in the the present have been willing to sacrifice their lives for face of a declaration of war and cry out to the 99 per cent the preservation of their families, their nation, and their of the people who wish peace in these words: institutions. Mr. Isaacson, however, must be excused for

21 his words, since some of his phrases shew quite clearly library of digital images of amateur journals reflecting that he is only following the common anarchical fallacy, the combined wealth of all of their collections. Every believing that wars are forced upon the masses by surviving amateur journal will thus become part of the tyrannical rulers. This belief, extremely popular a few patrimony of scholars in the field. From time to time, a months ago, has received a rude blow through the acts of new paper-and-ink survivor will turn up and be added to the Italian people in forcing their reluctant government to the digital library. Some amateur journalists will join the Allies. The socialistic delusion becomes probably consider more important the question of ridiculous when its precepts are thus boldly reversed by whether paper-and-ink amateur journals will still be the facts. Bryan is out of the way at last, and in spite of published in the year 2100. I think there will always be Mr. Isaacson and his hyphenated fellow-pacifists, the real private letterpress printers of one sort or another. The American people, the descendants of Virginian and New tradition of letterpress printing as begun by Gutenberg England Christian Protestant colonists, will remain ever and others will endure. The pace of technological faithful to the Stars and Stripes, even though forced to change is such that it is difficult to envision what meet enemies at home as well as abroad. electronic publishing and archiving might be like a century from today. I think the future holds exciting (These exchanges between Charles D. Isaacson (1892- possibilities. Today I can view on the Internet PDFs 1936) and H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) still stir strong which are just as much finished works of art as the emotions, more than ninety years after they were paper-and-ink work of the letterpress printer. (Just take originally published by the authors in their respective a look at some of the beautiful electronic fanzines at amateur journals. A majority of us would probably http://www.efanzines.com!) One would not need to add deplore Lovecraft's racism, but still refuse to identify very much structure to a site like www.efanzines.com to with Isaacson's pacifism. The editor's intent in reprinting build a functioning electronic amateur press association this material is not to stir old passions, but to with its own publication and comment posting areas, its demonstrate the importance of the dialog between own awards, and perhaps its own in-person conventions. Isaacson and Lovecraft for the understanding of I only monitor a few “blogs” but I certainly feel they Lovecraft's essay “In A Major Key” ─which is in fact form a component of amateur publishing. Historically, nothing less than a point-by-point rebuttal of Isaacson's we have after all been a community of many divers writings in In A Minor Key . I hope the reprinting of this backgrounds and opinions ─witness the differences dialog will lead to a further appreciation of the between Charles D. Isaacson and H. P. Lovecraft. It is importance of the “environmental factor” for the the dialog which the written word makes possible which understanding of Lovecraft's writings in amateur allows amateur journalism to claim that it enriches our journalism. Lovecraft's own writings concerning the human experience. Today for $500 or less I can publish hobby were painstakingly gathered by S. T. Joshi for the an on-demand book and have it maintained indefinitely first volume of Lovecraft's Collected Essays “in print.” That constitutes tremendous potential access (Hippocampus Press, 2004) ─reviewed in The Fossil for to the minds and hearts of other human beings that was October 2004 ─but a full understanding of Lovecraft's not possible in past centuries. I think the future for self- amateur journalism writings depends upon access to the expression in written form is virtually unlimited unless a journals he was writing about. The ultimate de luxe dark night of totalitarianism descends upon humanity. If edition of Lovecraft's amateur journalism writings will one takes a broad view of amateur journalism, the future need to be published in electronic form ─with links to seems very bright. Yes ─we mourn the passing of every digital images of all the works to which he refers. I don't tradition ─when an organization which has maintained expect to live to see such an edition ─but I believe the monthly bundles ceases to do so, when the membership resources of amateur journalism collections at of an organization falls below the critical mass for institutions like UW-Madison, American Antiquarian successful national conventions, when the number of Society, Western Reserve Historical Society and New letterpress publications continues to shrink. But if lively York Public Library will eventually facilitate the interchanges between individuals in written words are publication of such an electronic edition of Lovecraft's the yardstick, I think the future remains bright. Certainly, amateur journalism writings. I do not for one minute things are as lively today as when Charles D. Isaacson under-value the original paper-and-ink amateur and H. P. Lovecraft crossed lances more than ninety journals ─and it is the mandate of the collecting years ago.) institutions to preserve and to protect them ─but my own prediction is that by the year 2100 all of these collecting institutions will have teamed to create an electronic

22 SEAN McLACHLAN DISCOVERS (April 1917), by way of contrast, had been completely UNRECORDED LOVECRAFT PUBLICATIONS unknown to Lovecraftians before Mr. McLachlan's IN THE BRITISH LIBRARY discoveries. He also found a poem by Eugene B. Kuntz, ”He Walked With Life: To the Memory of Phillips Ken Faig, Jr. Gamwell” ─in memory of HPL's cousin Phillips Gamwell (1898-1916) in Little Budget for June 1917. While researching his forthcoming city guide to The text of Mr. McLachlan's new discoveries is London, England ( Moon Handbooks London , Avalon reprinted immediately following this article. “An Travel Publishing, 2007), EOD member Sean American to the British Flag,” as Mr. McLachlan notes, McLachlan (Calle Feijoo 5, 2-6 28010 Madrid, Spain) is not so much a patriotic tribute to America's ally in spent some time researching the British Library's World War I ─the United States had entered the conflict holdings of amateur journals. In the third issue of his in April 1917 ─but a reflection on the decline of Britain's Notes From the XIIth Legion (EOD mailing 136, former colony. The essay “The Recognition of Halloween 2006), McLachlan commenced publication of Temperance” is notable for its discussion of the Chicago a multi-part essay on “The Lovecraft Circle in the British & Northwestern Life Insurance Company, formed to Amateur Press.” The first installment of his article was provide life insurance at discounted rates to abstainers entitled “HPL in Merry Minutes and The Little Budget of from alcohol. United President Paul J. Campbell was one Knowledge and Nonsense ” and covered HPL's of its founders. Mr. McLachlan hopes to investigate the contributions to the journal published under those names history of this company further. During my own career as by Margaret Trafford of London. an actuary (1973 to date), discounted life insurance for The British Library catalog as cited by non-smokers has become very common, but the idea of McLachlan notes that issues of Merry Minutes prior to discounted rates for non-drinkers has never progressed vol. III (no. 8) dated November 1916 were “typewritten very far in the U.S. market in recent decades. (There has for private circulation.” As noted by McLachlan, the of course been research indicating that moderate British Library owns four issues from volume III of consumption of alcohol ─especially red wine ─is in fact a Merry Minutes : no. 8 (November 1916), no. ??? (double favorable indicator for survival.) Lovecraft's essay issue for December 1916/January 1917), no. ??? (double indicates that discounted life insurance rates for non- issue for January-February 1917), and no. 12 (March drinkers originated in the UK market. There is certainly 1917). The last-cited issue contains Lovecraft's poem the need for future research into life insurance for non- “On Receiving A Picture of the Marshes of Ipswich,” drinkers. As for Lovecraft's own temperance views, I previously known. think the example of his uncle Edward F. Gamwell Beginning in April 1917, Ms. Trafford changed (1869-1936) ─husband of Annie E. Phillips (1866-1941) the name of her magazine to The Little Budget of and father of Phillips Gamwell ─may have been Knowledge and Nonsense and began a new series of important. Gamwell took bachelor's and master's degrees issues: vol. 1 no. 1 (April 1917), vol. 1 no. 2 (May 1917), in English from Brown University and married Annie vol. 1 no. 3 (June 1917), vol. 1 no. 4 (July 1917), vol. 1 Gamwell in 1897. He became co-proprietor of a nos. 5-6 (August-September 1917), vol. 1 no. 9 newspaper in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But he lost it (December 1917), and vol. II “Complete” (April? all to alcoholism. The example of Gamwell was probably 1918 ─several issues bound together ─the final issue of the an important factor in forming Lovecraft's temperance magazine). The British Library has a complete run of The views. Little Budget of Knowledge and Nonsense . Please enjoy the Lovecraft poem and essay The Little Budget is of especial interest to which follow, courtesy of Mr. McLachlan. The Fossils Lovecraftians because of the many contributions by HPL look forward to his further discoveries among the which Ms. Trafford published. Many ─like the poems amateur journals in the collection of the British Library. I “Britannia Victura” (May 1917), “To Mr. Lockhart of am awaiting with especial eagerness any mention of Milbank, South Dakota, U.S.A., on his Poetry” (June Ernest Lionel McKeag's Spindrift ─which Lieutenant 1917), “Earth and Sky” (July 1917), “The Smile” and McKeag published while in active service in the British “Iterum Conjunctae” (August-September 1917) ─have military. (A short article on McKeag by the editor and long been known to Lovecraftians. The poem “An Vic Moitoret appeared in The Fossil for October 2004.) American to the British Flag” (December 1917) had been Spindrift was apparently the original place of publication known to Lovecraftians but with text missing due to the of the round-robbin story “The Mystery of Murdon lack of any available copy of this issue of The Little Grange,” to which Lovecraft contributed in his now-lost Budget . The essay “The Recognition of Temperance” manuscript magazine Hesperia . Later, McKeag himself

23 issued a manuscript magazine The Northumbrian while working as a reporter in Germany following World War In zealous rage our fathers swore I. Of course, Merry Minutes/Little Budget itself began its To fly the ancient flag no more; existence as a typescript magazine, circulated in original To trail it in the dust: and carbon copies to lists of Ms. Trafford's friends. They curs'd the holy cross of red, Manuscript and typescript magazines were common For which th' embattled free had bled, during and after World War I because of the high cost of And deem'd their hatred just. printing and duplicating. They are of course of the last rarity today. One of the few possible recovery strategies Another flag in pomp they rais'd is to seek descendants of the original publisher. We And whilst the world stood by amaz'd, would certainly love to learn more of Margaret Trafford A nation had its birth. of London, England. Forgetful of the blood that gave Just this past year, the British Library published Their pow'r to prosper, free and brave, the 452-page compilation British Poetry Magazines They welcom'd all the earth. 1914-2000: A History and Bibliography of “Little Magazines” by David Miller and Richard Price. The The Land that English prowess made, dividing line between amateur magazines and “little A horde of mongrel breed display'd; magazines” is difficult to fix ─and some publications like The scourings of mankind. Charles A. A. Parker's L'Alouette , an American title, The pauper and the weakling swarm'd clearly belong to both. Both amateur magazines and O'er realms our English fathers form'd: “little magazines” are part of the independent publishing O nation proudly blind! phenomenon with most of them being published by individuals with little expectation of financial gain. The Our dear ancestral glories wane taking of subscriptions may offer some means of From teeming town, from grove and plain, distinguishing one from the other. One remembers W. And well-remember'd leas. Paul Cook's “money cannot buy it” dictum about amateur 'Mid changing scenes we sadly plod publications. However, both amateur and “little” As strangers on our native sod, magazines are usually published mostly for love of their And live in memories subject matter ─so they are clearly allies. One of the great advantages the Library of Amateur Journalism will have O Flag of Old! At last we hail in the UW-Madison Special Collections is the presence Once more thy ripples in the gale, of a large collection of “little magazines” in the same And watch thy wistful face. institution. Thy folds remain, though aliens rise Interestingly, Ms. Trafford had “memberships” To taint each story'd scene we prize, for her magazine and listed new members in her issues. Thou symbol of our race. Presumably, these were not subscribers but fellow amateur journalists who traded publications with Ms. THE RECOGNITION OF TEMPERANCE Trafford. It is important to remember that the bundle system of distribution of amateur journals did not H. P. Lovecraft originate until the 1930s. During prior decades, amateur journalists exchanged their publications on a one-to-one (Reprinted from The Little Budget of Knowledge and basis. Nonsense (vol. 1 no. 1) for April 1917. Rediscovered by Sean McLachlan in The British Library.)

Whilst Conservative thinkers are as a class AN AMERICAN TO THE BRITISH FLAG extremely apt to become inveterate laudatores temporis acti , and to speak frequently and contemptuously of “this H. P. Lovecraft degenerate age”; it occasionally falls to their lot to observe modern tendencies which they may not only (Reprinted from The Little Budget of Knowledge and tolerate with equanimity, but acclaim with positive Nonsense (vol. 1 no. 9) for December 1917. delight. Rediscovered by Sean McLachlan in The British Prominent amongst these actual symptoms of Library.) human progress is the graduation of the Temperance

24 Movement from the dreamland of evangelism and realm of wit and fashion is sadly unrepresented in the academic morality to the more substantial field of science scheme of general reform. Following polite custom rather and government. For nearly a century the twin than scientific principle, the cultivated man of the world propaganda of Temperance and Prohibition have still waxes red-faced, loquacious over his time-honoured suffered from the excessively idealistic character of their convivial glass; and regards his continued use of wine advocates, but at last the problems involved are receiving with an aristocratically tolerant super-morality which the rational and practical consideration they have long equals in folly the cheap “personal liberty” delusion of deserved. It is no longer necessary to preach sonorously his social inferiors. Such expressions as “a gentleman's of the sinful and deleterious effect of liquor on the human wine-cellar,” “brandy and soda,” “a rare old vintage,” mind and body; the essential evil is recognised and the like, possess a sort of unctuous smack which scientifically, and only the sophistry of conscious appeals strongly to the refined tongue and ear, and which immorality remains to be combated. Brewers and causes most of the exquisites of the grand monde to distillers still strive clumsily to delude the public by the follow approved precedent, rather than consider any transparent misstatements of their advertisements, and ethical niceties which may have grown up since the periodicals of easy conscience still permit these establishment of the artificial code of taste and good advertisements to disgrace their pages; but the end of breeding. The basic belief is evidently that whilst a churl such pernicious pretension is not remote. The drinker of is not to be trusted in his cups, a gentleman is scarce yesterday flaunted his vice before all without shame; the harmed by liquor, provided he retain a certain poise, and average drinker of today must needs resort to excuses. observe certain conventional restrictions. That Meanwhile the governmental authorities of the world experience has demonstrated the fallacy of this maxim, have not been blind to the facts which science has never occurs to our gentle Bacchanals. A pernicious proved. Prohibition, either complete or partial, either feature of this elegant sanction of wine is the readiness normally or as a military measure, is spreading steadily with which the upper middle classes seize upon bibulous and rapidly throughout Europe and America; proving the habits through imitation. The presence of liquor on the universal and conclusive recognition of alcohol as a foe sideboards of a certain type of “solid citizen” is as of national efficiency and prosperity. distressing as it is incongruous. Obviously, these phases But it is in the world of trade and finance that of the temperance problem are not readily approachable the practical value of temperance is best to be through legislation or compulsion. The social prestige of demonstrated. Commerce has no sentiment nor morals, wine at table, and at the club must be destroyed through nor is anything but stark fact of weight with the business lofty example and polite ridicule; forces which are not man as such; wherefore any commercial endorsement of always available, and for whose successful operation abstinence is in the highest degree significant and much time will be required. positive. The recent founding of the Chicago and But the outstanding fact remains, that the world Northwestern Life Insurance Company, of which Pres. has come to regard liquor in a new and clearer light. Our Paul J. Campbell of the United Amateur Press next generation of poets will contain but few Anacreons, Association is an organiser and official, serves to remind for the thinking element of mankind has robbed the us very vividly of the firm position of temperance in flowing bowl of its fancied virtues and fictitious beauties. practical contemporary opinion. This corporation, The grape, so long permitted to masquerade as the composed wholly of temperance men, is designed to inspirer of wit and art, is now revealed as the mother or provide life assurance at reduced rates for total ruin and death. The wolf at last stands divested of its abstainers; relying with sound business sense upon the sheep's clothing. superior physical condition and longevity of such persons. This advantage of abstinence has been (The editor thanks Sean McLachlan for sharing his acknowledged by British Companies for many years, but Lovecraftian discoveries with the readers of The Fossil , the fact that America now contains enough abstainers to who look forward to learning more about the amateur warrant the formation of a new insurance company journalism collection at the British Library. In especially devoted to them, is a powerful and favourable subsequent correspondence with the editor, Mr. commentary upon the modern progress of sobriety. McLachlan noted that the British Library in fact does not As yet, certain sociological aspects of possess a file of Ernest Lionel McKeag's wartime journal Temperance leave much to be desired. Rational and Spindrift . Of course, the search for missing amateur voluntary abstinence prevails amongst the intelligent material goes on ─the editor recently found a very middle classes, whilst compulsory prohibition will substantial biography of Ernest Lionel McKeag at: probably come to the aid of the lower strata; but the bearalley.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html

25 Ernest Lionel McKeag was born in Newcastle-upon- author (19 Whispering Sands Drive #103, Sarasota FL Tyne, England on September 19, 1896, the son of John 34242-1656) for $49 plus $4 shipping. and Alice (Ingledew) McKeag. He joined the British Altogether, The Printer casts a very wide net. If Mercantile Marines in 1913 and then the Royal Navy, you are interested in any aspect of letterpress printing, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He left the Navy in 1919 you will likely find it here. Many names from the and worked as a reporter for several years, including a amateur journalism world are well-represented stint in Germany. He spent most of his career as a writer here ─Rich Hopkins of Hill & Dale Private Press and and editor of juvenile and popular fiction, the hardboiled Typefoundry is pictured on the front page. The strength detective “Griff” being among his most famous of The Printer is its dedication to the craft founded by creations. He married Constance Hibbs in 1928 and he Gutenberg. As Chuck Hawley of Arizona Republic had by her two sons. He served again in the Royal Navy remarked in his comments on Louise Lincoln's laureate during World War II. Dying in 1974, he was survived by award for “The Future of Amateur Journalism? Or!”: the his second wife Eileen and his two sons. The editor printed page remains a rallying point for all those who suggests that these two sons ─or their descendants ─may love her. Publications like The Printer which bring be worth checking for a file of the sought-for Spindrift .) together many interest streams in this great human invention benefit all who love the printed page. FOSSIL REVIEWS Travis McDade, The Book Thief: The True Crimes of Ken Faig, Jr. Daniel Spiegelman (Westport CT: Praeger, 2006, xi+181pp.). The Printer: Monthly For Letterpress . Mike Phillips, Editor-Publisher, 337 Wilson Street, Findlay, Ohio If the printed page has ardent adherents, it also 45840, $30 per annum (sample issue $2). has dangerous enemies ─the natural threats of fire and flood have decimated public and private collections of I have to thank editor Mike Phillips for a printed matter, but over the centuries man ─through the sample issue (November 2006, vol. 19 no. 229) of this instrumentalities of armies and governments ─has twelve-page newsprint monthly devoted to letterpress probably been a greater enemy of the printed page than printing in all its aspects ─hobby printing including nature. An earlier Praeger book, Rebecca Knuth's amateur journalism, academic and non-academic fine arts Libricide: The Regime-Sponsored Destruction of Books presses (there is an article on the golden anniversary of and Libraries in the Twentieth Century told this the King Library Press at the University of Kentucky), frightening story through the present day. historical preservation and education (the International However, the desire for profit ─and thefts from Printing Museum of Carson CA has several institutions engendered thereby ─also pose a material advertisements including one for “Leather Apron Guild threat to printed matter. Over three months in 1994, Docent” training ─No Experience Needed ). There are Daniel Spiegelman stole manuscripts, books and atlas excellent feature articles and numerous advertisements of maps valued at millions of dollars from the rare books printing equipment available for sale and a few department in Columbia University's Butler Library. advertisements for letterpress instruction and workshops. (Spiegelman cased the library and found a way into the The Printer casts a wide net, and in this issue we learn rare books section through a disused book lift system. He (among other things) of “Gutenberg! The Musical!” on would hide in the stacks until closing and then do his Broadway, Paul Shaw's talk on William Addison dirty work.) Dwiggins at the Grolier Club on December 11, 2006, and Professor McDade tells the story of of Mystical Places Press's twice-a-year publication Artist Spiegelman's crimes and eventual arrest and prosecution Book News (devoted to artists' handcrafted books ─either with meticulous attention to detail. Having served a one-of-a-kind or very limited edition creations). On page longer sentence than he had hoped for, Spiegelman now 3 is an advertisement for Harold E. Sterne's A Catalogue lives in Europe ─apparently with access to some still- of Nineteenth Century Printing Presses (272pp. with 480 hidden stashes of stolen material. The great atlas volumes illustrations including 25 hand presses, 135 platen which he vandalized, the professional careers that he presses and 55 lever presses from 194 damaged or destroyed, the material still missing ─remains manufacturers ─150 new illustrations added since the in his wake. prior edition in 1978). I wonder if some of the presses of If there is any lesson in the disturbing story of which Edwin B. Hill wrote with such fondness are Spiegelman's crimes, it is that the adherents of the printed illustrated in this work, which is available from the page have to rally against its enemies.

26 of husband and wife. Annual subscription to The Fossil FOSSIL OFFICERS: 2006-2008 without privileges of membership is $10. Make remittances payable to The Fossils, and mail to the President: Guy Miller, 2951 Archer Lane, Springfield, Secretary-treasurer. OH 45503-1209, (937) 390-3499

Vice President, Leland M. Hawes, Jr., 5009 Dickens Ave., Tampa, FL 33629-7514, (813) 837-1314,

Secretary-treasurer, Tom Parson, 157 South Logan, Denver, CO 80209, (303) 777-8951,

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This journal is the Official Organ of The Fossils, a non- profit organization whose purposes are to stimulate interest in and preserve the history of independent publishing, either separate from or organized in the hobby known as “Amateur Journalism” and to foster the practices of amateur journalism. To this end, The Fossils preserved the Library of Amateur Journalism, a repository of amateur papers and memorabilia dating from the 1850s, acquired in 1916 and donated in 2004 to the Special Collections Department of the University of Wisconsin Library, Room 976, Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53706. Individuals or institutions allied with our goals are invited to join The Fossils. Dues are $15 annually ─$20 for joint membership

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